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getting involved in the Iowa Democratic Senate race by endorsing Theresa Greenfield just three days after she announced her candidacy; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer went so far as to say “we don’t need The Black liberation movement in Iowa has a fierce advocate in local politics. a primary” to nominate a challenger to Joni BY IZABELA ZALUSKA Ernst. Walker, a supporter of the more progressive candidate Kimberly Graham, called month out from the 2020 Witching is,” Walker said. “Instead, it will be one more out the DSCC, saying they’d engineered “a story out of many that deserve to be told.” Hour festival, presenter Stacey primary contest that was already heavily Among the topics Walker wants to discuss Walker isn’t exactly sure what he skewed in favor of one candidate.” are dog whistle politics, white privilege and will say to attendees. But that’s Walker often uses his social media acwhy addressing racism is difficult. not for lack of something to say. counts on Twitter and Facebook to draw at“You have the president of the United “As a Black man, as an elected official, tention to these various issues and criticisms. States, quite frankly, stoking the fire saying as a person who has been involved in racial “Some days it feels like the heat is turned there are good people on both sides of this justice politics for my entire life, I know that up because I am so visible,” Walker said. “I debate. You have all of these things workI have a lot to say,” Walker told Little Village. think people are placing me in a position as a ing against the intellectual arguments of the “I know that my perspective will be just one leader in this Black liberation movement here Black liberation movement,” Walker said. “I of many different perspectives about what’s in the state—a position I don’t take lightly, want to talk about that and talk about why happening, and I really, really want to get I’m humbled by it—but you know, there’s something that should be easy—addressing into what I think is next and where we ought some, there’s some negativity that comes racism should be easy. I think most reasonto head with this movement not just here in with that.” able people would say, yeah, racism is bad. Iowa, but where we should be headed as a “It’s difficult but I feel grounded. I feel But that is why it’s hard. You have all these national—now international—movement.” very supported by friends The Linn County Supervisor is one of and loved ones, and I feel the headliners for this year’s Witching Hour supported knowing that I festival, which is being held virtually from “I HAVE NO PROBLEM CHALLENGING am another foot soldier in Oct. 30 to Oct. 31 due to the COVID-19 PEOPLE WHEN I THINK THEY’RE WRONG this long struggle that expandemic. The festival, which is presented by AND WHEN I THINK THEIR BELIEF isted well before I got here the Englert Theatre and Little Village, is dedand will exist well after icated to exploring the unknown and presentSYSTEM IS GOING TO HARM VULNERABLE I’m gone, and it’s an honor ing work from individuals who are pushing PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR.” to know that.” boundaries. Walker plans to close Writer Danez Smith, artist Beatrice out his Witching Hour Thomas and musician Black Belt Eagle Scout presentation by addressing the questions of forces working against them, distorting the are among some of the other presenters who “Where are we headed?” and “What’s next argument in the work.” will engage audiences during the two-day for the movement?” As an elected official of color in Linn event. Predicting what’s next is tricky, he added, County, Walker isn’t immune to racism. “It’s incredibly interesting, and it has because part of being a politician is “making Walker said he’s become a target because this quality about it that really allows the sure people can hold on to hope as we naviof how public and outspoken he is about his imagination to sort of take off and take you gate these tricky times”—but he also knows opinions and his willingness to call out other to weird, interesting, stimulating places,” the road ahead is going to be difficult. politicians, even if they’re in his own party. Walker said of Witching Hour. “I know the work is not going to be fin“I have no problem challenging people Despite not knowing exactly where his preished probably in my lifetime. I’m a relawhen I think they’re wrong and when I think sentation will go, Walker has ideas on how he tively young guy in the movement, but that’s their belief system is going to harm vulnerawants to tell the story of Black liberation. He how it’s always been, since the first people ble people, people of color,” Walker said. envisions a presentation set to music, photos of color arrived on the slave ships to the New Walker previously told Little Village that and videos, with him being the narrator. World, although there were people of color he would get calls from state leaders and Walker said he’s drawing inspiration from who were already here. Every generation political consultants telling him he was “bethe end of the Malcom X film that pairs since we’ve had to pick up where the other coming radioactive” because of his public Ossie Davis’ eulogy for the civil rights icon generation left off, and we’re still in it. We’re comments about race, criticism of other with various clips and photos. Another video still in it, and I’m hopeful that we’re gonna Democrats and support of Bernie Sanders. Walker is looking at is will.i.am’s “Yes We get to a better place, but it’s gonna take time.” (Walker was Sanders’ Iowa campaign coCan” that features different artists singing On the local level, the Cedar Rapids City chair.) parts of Barack Obama’s concession speech Council is continuing to move forward with Like Sanders, Walker hasn’t been afraid to in the New Hampshire presidential primary the seven demands presented to the city by criticize the Democratic Party establishment. in 2008. the grassroots group Advocates for Social Last year, Walker voiced his frustration with “This is not a definitive story nor will it be Justice, which Walker has been involved with the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee able to encompass all that Black liberation
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